Experience the magic of Christmas at Hunter Valley Gardens Christmas Lights Spectacular 2025, the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest and most dazzling light display, featuring more than four million twinkling lights!
Opening this Friday 7 November, this beloved annual event transforms the Gardens into a sparkling wonderland of colour, creativity and festive cheer.
If your family loves Christmas lights, this is one you simply can’t miss. The Christmas Lights Spectacular is a truly enchanting experience and one of the Hunter Valley’s must-see attractions during the holiday season.
A Variety of Displays at Hunter Valley Gardens Christmas Lights Spectacular
A lot of fan-favourites have returned and are shining bright, including Candyland which includes your favourite sweets imagined as lights as well as plenty of Christmas presents.
This year, Christmas Lights Spectacular will welcome several new additions, including plenty of new photo opportunities.
Wander through the brand-new Italian Grotto Garden area: HO HO Harvest, this will be the first time ever that this Garden is open during Christmas Lights Spectacular!
Discover festive new areas like Merry Meadow, Santaville, Shimmering Falls, Holiday Hollow
and many more.
Be dazzled by enchanting new displays including Garden Elves, a glowing Poinsettia, twinkling Mistletoe, a festive Boxing Day Test scene, a vibrant Giant Christmas tree display and many other magical surprises waiting to be explored. It’s the perfect way to celebrate the season and make new memories under millions of lights.
Other picks that you must tick off your list include the Story Book Garden to visit Humpty Dumpty as well as the always popular 12 Days of Christmas.
Stroll through a walk-through tunnel and soak up the dazzling energy.
For those indulging in a romantic getaway, the Lover’s Tunnel will be the perfect spot to create cherished memories this festive season. Stroll through the tunnel and enjoy a kiss under the mistletoe.
Organise with friends and family to go on the same night. The event is a great place for a catch up.
As well as the Christmas light displays, there’s lots of other fun to enjoy at Hunter Valley Gardens for the 2025 Christmas Lights Spectacular.
Don’t worry about dinner. Just get there early for a bite to eat when the gardens open at 5:30pm.
There’s a range of food stalls including including woodfire pizza, burgers, hot dogs, and a food stall serving your favourite sweet treats. Christmas Lights Spectacular food stalls are open daily from 6pm-10pm.
This year, Hunter Valley Gardens is excited to introduce The Evergreen Tavern – Christmas Lights Spectacular Bar, a brand-new addition to the event!
Set inside the Hunter Valley Gardens marquee, The Evergreen Tavern will be serving up refreshing cold drinks in a relaxed, festive setting. Open from 5:30pm to 10pm, it’s the perfect spot to soak up the Christmas cheer, enjoy a drink with friends or family, and take in the magical atmosphere before or after exploring the lights.
Amusement Rides at Hunter Valley Gardens Christmas Lights Spectacular
The event also includes a range of amusement rides which run from 6pm to 10pm (last ride at 9:45pm). Ride tickets can be purchased at the ticket booth located in the event area with sales closing at 9:30pm.
Hunter Valley Gardens famous rides will be available every night of the event (weather permitting) and include a spectacular 35-metre-long Super slide for the bold and daring, accompanied by an incredible Ferris Wheel for those who want to relax and take in the view.
Fan favourites include the majestic Venetian Carousel, Swing Chair, and the brightly coloured Teacup Ride.
These activities incur an extra cost. Single ride tokens will be available for $6 each, or you can purchase a Bonus Ride Pack, 6 ride tokens for $30 (buy 5, get 1 free). Height and age restrictions apply.
Entertainment at Hunter Valley Gardens Christmas Lights Spectacular
As well as the thousands of Christmas lights, enjoy all the entertainers at Hunter Valley Gardens Christmas Lights Spectacular. They will be performing on weekends with additional days in the December peak.
This year includes a bumper selection of entertainment including:
- The Little Scallywagz – Nutcracker Story Time Experience
- Bizarre Haus – Stilt Walkers
- Bizarre Haus – Lollipop Lyra acrobatics
- Bizarre Haus – Unicycling Juggler
- Felix Quinn Band – Christmas House Band
Christmas Photos at Hunter Valley Gardens Christmas Lights Spectacular
You can also get your photos taken with Santa at Hunter Valley Gardens. Santa photos are available from 5:30pm – 10pm every night until 26 December at the event marquee located near the food stalls. Santa photos cannot be pre-booked. but HVG recommend arriving early when there is minimal wait.
Photos will be emailed to your designated email addresses. You can choose to add more than one email address upon request. Price for packages start at $40.
Accommodation at Hunter Valley Gardens Christmas Lights Spectacular
If you want to enjoy a short getaway in the Hunter Valley, book a Christmas Lights Spectacular accommodation package. Mercure Hunter Valley Gardens and Harrigan’s Hunter Valley are located only minutes away from Hunter Valley Gardens and are offering special accommodation packages both mid-week and weekend. These include accommodation, family entry, ride tickets and breakfast. Find out more about about the accommodation offers at Mercure Hunter Valley Gardens and Harrigan’s Hunter Valley.
New Year’s Eve at Hunter Valley Gardens
Ring in the new year at Hunter Valley Gardens Christmas Lights Spectacular. There will be a special NYE show featuring The Little Scallywagz and Bizarre Haus, followed by a fireworks display at 9pm. Get in quick for tickets though as this event can get booked out.
Good to Know
Christmas Lights Spectacular at Hunter Valley Gardens at Pokolbin runs from Friday 7 November 2025 to Monday 26 January 2026 except Christmas Day.
The Gardens open for Christmas lights viewing at 5:30pm and close at 10:30pm. Last entry at 9pm.
2025 Christmas Lights Spectacular tickets are on sale now:
Adult $41
Children (4-15 yrs) $31
Children (3 yrs & under) FREE
Family (2 Adults + 1 Child) $102
Family (2 Adults + 2 Child) $126
Family Pass Extra Child $31
*Single ride tokens will be available for $6 each, or you can purchase a Bonus Ride Pack, 6 ride tokens for $30. Height and age restrictions apply.
Day + Night passes are also available.
For more details on tickets and program, visit the Hunter Valley Gardens website.
Make sure that you don’t miss any of the other fun and family-friendly Christmas events in Newcastle and the Hunter, visit the Newy with Kids Guide to Christmas.